CP&DR

New Homes Pay For Themselves, Say Homebuilders

Aug 28, 2007

California, CP&DR Staff, Featured Articles, Housing, Vol. 22 No. 09 Sep 2007

New housing units provide financial benefits for local and state government, according to a new study prepared for the California Homebuilding Foundation. But some analysts are not ready to embrace the study or its conclusions.

Court Blocks Fontana Redevelopment Bond, Questions Housing Expenditures

Aug 24, 2007

Legal Digest, Paul Shigley, Redevelopment, San Bernardino County, Vol. 22 No. 09 Sep 2007

Concluding that Fontana has dodged its affordable housing obligations since 1987, the Fourth District Court of Appeal has blocked the Fontana Redevelopment Agency from issuing $40 million in tax allocation bonds because the agency has exceeded its debt limit. The court also declined to "validate" a settlement between Fontana and the state Department of Housing and Community Development concerning a $67 million shortfall in affordable housing funds, and the court makes clear that Fontana has been avoiding is affordable housing obligations since 1987.

AG, County Settle CEQA-Global Warming Suit

Aug 22, 2007

California Environmental Quality Act, CP&DR Staff, Featured Articles, San Bernardino County, Vol. 22 No. 09 Sep 2007

San Bernardino County has agreed to deal with greenhouse gas reduction in its general plan as part of a settlement agreement in a high-profile lawsuit filed by the state attorney general's office.

State Budget Deal Includes CEQA Compromise

Aug 22, 2007

California, California Environmental Quality Act, CP&DR Staff, Legislation, Vol. 22 No. 09 Sep 2007

In passing the state budget on Tuesday, the Legislature agreed to begin resolving issues associated with the California Environmental Quality Act and global warming.

Survey Demonstrates Conflicting Values On The Environment

Aug 21, 2007

California, CP&DR Staff, Featured Articles, Vol. 22 No. 09 Sep 2007

Almost 30% of Californians name air pollution as the state's biggest environmental problem — far more than any other — and another 10% say the biggest environmental problem is global warming, which is related to air pollution. Furthermore, a significant plurality say the state government should do something about it, which suggests that there might be political tolerance for air pollution regulation

Future Looks Uncertain, Costly For Salton Sea

Aug 17, 2007

Environment Watch, Imperial County, Larry Sokoloff, Salton Sea, Vol. 22 No. 09 Sep 2007, Wetlands

The Salton Sea sits likes a time bomb in the desert, serving up a brew of bad smells, turgid waters and the potential to increase air pollution in an area where thousands of homes are planned. But under a proposal making its way through the Legislature, some of the sea's lurking hazards may be stopped. Instead, the Salton Sea may be shrunk to a third of its current 240,000 acres and revived as a recreational lake for sport fish and migrating birds. All it will take is billions of dollars and at least 75 years of maintenance.